Know how to ID those sellers and auctions on ebay that are WAY fake or counterfiet? Many sellers sell re wigged dolls as OOAK. Some sellers list dolls they know are not authentic. Others may not know. Show us what you have come across!
I would like to share my experience with you. It seems that most of the counterfeits have pretty much disappeared from ebay and have been replaced by a new breed of fake dolls. They are real american girl dolls that are rewigged, dressed, and painted to look like the highly sought after limited edition dolls, Lindsey and Kailey. I was a victim to such a scam recently and there are clues to look for that I wish I had known then. The first thing I should have noticed was that this seller had changed her user id 3 times recently and had other user id's as well. She had multiple feedback from the same user making me believe that she had a very good rating but it was actually "padded". She bought wigs and sold OOAK dolls under one of her other seller id's. She carefully listed my doll as an american girl doll and when I questioned her about the doll, she said that it had been identified by another ebayer as being a Kailey doll. She listed my doll and another Kailey and a Lindsey this way and with very reasonable BIN prices. I clicked on the BIN option so fast like my life depended on it because I wanted this doll so bad. When she arrived I unwrapped her and I could see right away that she was NOT Kailey. She had been given a very poor wig job. There was a very thick line of glue along the edge of her wig. If I had saved her picture and blown it up I would have seen this before I bought her. I sent her to the AG doll hospital to be identified and she turned out to be AGT 13. I requested a refund and the seller refused stating she did not know who the doll was and the story of deceit unfolded shortly. Paypal found in my favor but insisted that I send the doll back and wait for a refund from the seller. I opted to keep the doll as the seller had already proven herself to be dishonest and had given only a partial refund to another buyer who sent her doll back. This was a very expensive lesson for me to learn and I hope others learn from my mistakes. Some good did come out of this experience. I met a few very kind and supportive HB members and ebayers.
There are some very good Kit rewigs to look like Lindsey. Oftentimes the hair is too dark. If you are not sure about a doll, ask for more pictures, including the wig line or with the hair lifted up. 'Tis better to be safe than sorry! Unless you are looking at a wicked deal, like $80 for Lindsey, check it out first.
Okay are you talking about me, yes, I found a great BIN $80 Lindsey, and every day I hug this doll. She is so beautiful, and fun. And I can't beleive at age 53 I'm buying dolls. And dressing them for the Holiday. And all the fun I'm having talking on a message board, meeting the nicest people.
Boop, I don't think MissMooMoo was referring to anyone in particular she was just using that number as an example. That would be a dream to win a Lindsey at that price and we should check it out first. I saw that auction and I believe your doll is the real thing. I'm glad she getting so much love from you!
I would love to see more comparisions with the fake dolls right beside the real ones. Yes, when I bought Lindsey I was very scared, there wasn't any time to check her out or ask questions, someone else was right behind me in the bidding que. I think I was really lucky, but I think if someone was trying to scam us the price would have been higher and the seller would have claimed ignorance about the dolls. This was just someone selling a used doll and they had not done much homework on completed Lindsey sales. I was just the lucky one. And we all have that chance. I don't know why it was my turn.
Oh, AGMom, now I know who you are, sorry I didn't put 2 and 2 together before. I'm still so sorry about that Kailey. But that did teach us all a lesson. I bought a Samantha doll a couple of months ago and I beleive she was re wigged. I asked for a refund and the seller said "Sorry no refunds" I might send her off to AGH to see if the wig is hers or not. Otherwise she is very old. And guess what someone on HB recommended that someone should get her as she was a really nice doll, and that they would if they could afford her. So I thought she was the one for me. I have bonded with the doll but I wish her wig was original. By the way, what doll did Kailey turn out to be?? Betty
Kailey turned out to be an AGT 13. I had her head replaced with a new one and renamed her Ria Grace. I kept the old head and it was beckoning to me from it's place in storage and so I just had to get a body for her. I did find a body and rewigged her with a curly auburn wig and have named her Analiese. I now have 13 dolls and one on the way that will be for my mom. So technically I still have 13 dolls. Is that an unlucky number? Should I get another doll?
Oh, how wonderful, I got an AG#13 last year, almost by accident, I wanted the two outfits they were selling with her both retired. Could have cared less about the doll, but now that she's here she's almost my favorite. I just love her to death.
Now should you break the unlucky number of 13, I would ask PRASNLRD, she's our resident expert on the higher numbers. I'm at 8 and we need a new car, so I guess I'll stay at 8 for awhile, oh wait, I just PM'ed Meg about a blond dolly, I may need another part time job.
13? what a fabulous number for a collection! I guess it all depents on if you like having everything even or lie me........just odd. Now why does that not surprise anyone?
I have been disappointed by the wig on an AGOT that I bought, but it was a good price. It's the one I gave to my niece before Christmas. I wanted to see how she took care of a doll first, so it didn't matter too much, but I still wish the seller had been more honest about that.
And all the fun I'm having talking on a message board, meeting the nicest people. 
